The great irony of following a writing practice is: you need to be alone, but you need community. Come to one of my writing workshops and find ways to incorporate both.
The next writing workshop I’ll lead will be from Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1. I’m doing this one for the Appalachian Mountain Club at its quiet, beautiful Cardigan Lodge at the base of Cardigan Mountain in Alexandria, New Hampshire.
Writing from the Mountains is a Friday night through Sunday lunch workshop that will resonate with writers at all stages of their work, whether you’ve ever attended one of my workshops or are returning. Each year I make changes to my basic approach, adding new themes and understanding of the environment there. This workshop will help you find and hone your unique new ideas by observing and hiking on the trails.
Appalachian Mountain Club’s “Writing from the Mountains” Workshop
Leader: Christine Woodside, Editor-in-Chief, Appalachia journal
Assistant Leader: Elissa Ely, Writer
2026
Cardigan Lodge
Friday:
- Arrive by 5 p.m. At around 5:30, we’ll gather by the fireplace and introduce ourselves. Tell us who you are, where you live, what you’re working on, what your hopes are, what brought you here this weekend, and anything else you want us to know.
After dinner:
Introduction:
- An introduction to the Shem Valley: where we are. We are in the second year of a drought cycle in New Hampshire. An overview of those conditions and what we might see outside. And some reflections on how writers can experience droughts in perceived creativity and how to handle those feelings.
- Weather stories
- We will then step outside in the dark
- Back inside, we will review trail maps and lay the foundation for our Saturday morning solo walks. Each person will figure out a route.
Saturday:
- 7:30 a.m. Breakfast.
- After breakfast: Solo walks on the trails. You have one goal, and one plan: pay attention to where you are, and find your way safely out and back. head out at approximately 8:30-9:00 a.m. for 2 to 2 1/2 Our trail guide for the weekend will be roving on your routes.
- Return by 11 a.m.Guided free writing. Chris will lead.
- 12 noon. Lunch in the lodge.
After lunch:
- A reading. Chris will read to you from some recent pieces she’s found inspiring. Brief discussion.
- 2-3 p.m.: Elissa Ely will lead us in a writing and observing activity.
- 3-3:45 Break.
- 4-5 p.m. Chris will lead. Comparisons exercise on trails and back inside.
- 5-6: Free time. Chris and Elissa will be available for individual meetings with any writer who requested it.
- 6:00. Dinner.
- After dinner: Readings. Each of you will read something you’ve worked on this weekend.
Sunday:
- 7:30 a.m. Breakfast.
- After breakfast, around 8:30-10 a.m.: A field exercise to be announced.
- 10-10:30 a.m.: Regroup, rest room break, coffee.
- 10:30 a.m.: Share your field guide notes.
- 11:00 a.m.: Writing practices, goals, and Q and A with Chris. Do we need to write every day? What kind of wrestling do writers do on how to make progress their ways? And more.
- 12:00. Lunch and goodbyes. This will begin further conversations and connections.
